Switch-actuator for street-cars



(No Model.) I

P; SPARLING. SWITCH- AGTU-ATOR POR STREET CARS. I No. 518,972. v Patented May 1,1894.

M STA ES FLETCHER SPARLING, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SWITCH-ACTUATOR FOR STREET-CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 518,972, dated May 1, 1894.

Application filed Tune 17, 1893- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FLETCHER SPARLING," of Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Switch-Actuators for Street-Oars, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object the production of a switch actuator for use on street railway cars, whereby the switch point may be readily turned by the driver or motorman without leaving his post, the actuator being held normally in inoperative position.

In accordance therewith my invention consists, in a switch actuator for street cars, of a yielding support connected to the car, and normally elevated, combined with an actuator connected to said support and adapted to be swung laterally and provided with an operating handle, and independent means to positively depress the support and actuator, substantially as will be described.

Other features of my invention will be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1, in side elevation, represents the end of a car with my invention applied thereto, and Fig. 2 is a partially sectional view taken below the line a, Fig. 1.

The platform a, and dasher a are and may .be of usual construction in either horse or electric street cars.

I have herein shown depending ears b secured to the under side of the car by a suitable bolt b, see dotted lines Fig. 1, said ears sustaining the rear endof a support ofor the actuator, said support being shown as slotted at c to loosely surround and be guided by a depending bolt or pin 01 rigidly secured to the under side of the platform a, and encircled by a spiral spring d between the support 0 and a nut d on the lower end of the stud, the latter preferably being threaded in order that the tension of the spring may be adjusted. The actuator support 0 is normally maintained in the position shown in Fig. 1 by the spring d and it is obvious that any other convenient form of spring might be used for the same purpose. The outer'end of the support a is bifurcated or forked at 0 and as Serial No. 477,920. (No model.)

yond the platform a. A pin or stude is pivotally held in the bifurcated portion by a rock-shaft e at right angles thereto.

I have herein shown the switch actuator as a lever f pivoted upon the pin or stud e, the upper end of the lever extending above the dasher a and having a handle f within reach of the driver. The lower end of the lever is offset at f, see Fig. 2, and slightly curved at f A push pin gis extended loosely through the platform, its lower end bearing against the support a, so that depression of said pin forces the outer end of the support down against the spring 61* and moves the end f of the actuator into position to engage the switch point. Movement of the handle f to the right or left moves the switch point to left or right according to the direction which the car is to take. When the point has been properly moved the pin g is released and the spring d immediately raises the support a and the actuator into normal inoperative position. The pin or stud e and the rock shaft 6 to which it is secured form a universal joint between the actuator and its support, whereby the former can be moved to the right or left, forward or back, as desired. As the end f is oifset it can be readily seen by the driver or motorman, and its movement readily directed to properly actuate the switch point.

If a fender is attached to the car it will not interfere with the operation of the switch actuator, for the fender can be slotted to admit the actuator therethrough.

A guard g of usual construction may be employed, if desired, to prevent the actuator from moving on its pivot when not in use.

I claimshown herein projects a short distance be-' 1. In a switch actuator for street cars, a

yielding support connected to the car, and normally elevated, combined with an actuator connected to said support and adapted to be swung laterally and provided with an operating handle, and independent means to positively depress the support and the actuator,

to the bifurcated portion of said support, actuator-into operative position,substantially n means to positively depress the support and as described.

actuator, and a handle to turn the actuator In testimony whereof I have signed my and throw the switch point, substantially as name to this specification in the presence of described. two subscribing witnesses.

3. A switch actuator for street cars, con- FLETCHER SPARLING. sisting of a yielding support, an actuator car- Witnesses: ried thereby, and a universal joint connect- JOHN C. EDWARDS, ing them, combined with means to move the FREDERICK L. EMERY. 

